Newtown police investigate shooting by cop's wife

John Pirro

Published 9:36 pm, Wednesday, December 25, 2013

NEWTOWN -- Local police are investigating the November incident in which an officer's wife fired a bullet into their hotel room wall during an event honoring first responders to last year's shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Ellen Cole, the wife of Sgt. John Cole, was arrested by Connecticut State Police as a result of the shooting, which occurred during a domestic disturbance at the Interlaken Inn in Salisbury on the evening of Nov. 16. No one was injured, and a State Police spokesman said the case is now considered closed.

But Newtown police have "an open internal investigation pending concerning this matter," Capt, Joseph Rios said Tuesday. He didn't provide any additional details.

Ellen Cole, of Naugatuck, was charged with illegal discharge of a firearm, disorderly conduct and criminal mischief.

Judge Richard Marano also issued a protective order barring Ellen Cole from having any contact with her husband, according to court documents.

State police have released few details about the shooting, but hotel manager Kevin Bousquet said that staff members heard the couple arguing several hours before the shooting occurred. Court documents indicate that investigators recovered a single .45 caliber shell casing from the room.

Bousquet said about a dozen first responders from Newtown attended the benefit, which was put on by the United Way.

"Everything was great. It was a nice day with a culinary challenge and other events, and then a dinner in the evening," he said.

Bousquet said staff members didn't hear the gunshot, and he believed Sgt. Cole had called state police to report the incident.